>> i just heard nancy pelosi and hairy re day. agreed to sign off on this deal. the senate could vote on it tonight. as reported earlier, house republicans sent everyone home for the day. testimony, if congress accepts this deal, being put together tonight, congress could claw back up the cliff. >> just hours before midnight deadline, president obama gathered supporters to announce a deal was within site. >> our immediate priority is middle class families starting tomorrow. i think that is a modest goal that we can accomplish. >> the vice president and senate republican leader leading negotiations, but phone shall deal is expected to increase estate tax from 35ses today 40%. extend unemployment benefits, and bring back higher clinton era tax rates on households making more than $450,000 a year, that $450,000 fresh hold is a major concession. tom harkin threatened to pull support. >> the deal must be one that favors the middle class and he cautioned rinz against taking a spending cuts only approach. >> if they think that is going to be the formula they've got anot